Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Do you remember being asked that in grade 12? I do. I remember the cast of Dawson’s Creek being asked that question too lol.
I had no idea 5 years ago that my life would be as it is today.
Today my baby turned 5.
Wow.
5 years ago I couldn’t even imagine the pain I would endure just to see her sweet smile.
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Today I got my babycenter newsletter, I used to receive 1 every day. They started throughout my pregnancy, then every day of the first 2 years of HBear’s life. Then they started coming weekly, then monthly.
I always look forward to them. Today’s said “Congratulations! Your not-so-little one is now five!”
WHAT?? How did this happen. It was just yesterday I was gazing down at her little face wondering if anything had ever felt so right?
It was just a few days ago my Mom and I set up the Christmas tree and kept the livingroom crazy warm just so HBear wouldn’t get a chill in the cold Winnipeg December. Wasn’t it?
Just a few weeks ago Ninja and I packed up our belongings and made the move out West… HBear was only 9 months old. A few weeks ago, I swear!
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When did this happen? I know everyone always says they grow up so quickly, but sometimes I felt like some days went on for years. Today I realized that they DO grow up, and way too quickly.
The newsletter went on to say that this was the last one!!!! To top it all off the info for this month was that my little one would be “separating from you comfortably, maybe even eagerly”. How dare they?!?!
I am so not ready to let go. Not from my newsletter, not from my baby…. the one that looked up at me with pure love and complete trust, not from the toddler that learned to walk, talk and even use a potty in front of my very eyes!
My HoneyBear went from the perfect little baby to an inquisitive, smart, brave toddler and is now a kind, courteous, intelligent little girl. I was there… I saw it happen…
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Wow… 5 years… just like that. Looking back I loved every minute of those years. I loved her then and I love her even more now. I love watching her learn and try. I love watching her reactions and when she conquers fears. I love when she is so overcome with the emotion of the day she collapses in my arms saying how much she loves me. It makes me feel like I am the luckiest Mommy in the whole world!
She wanted shrimp for her birthday dinner tonight. So Ninja grilled some garlic shrimp and I made Caesar salad and lobster pasta.
Fettuccine With Lobster, Tomatoes and Saffron
Adapted from Mario Batalli
2 pounds lobster, cooked, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
Kosher salt
4 tablespoons butter
1 medium red onion, cut into 1/8 inch julienne
1 cup mushrooms, quartered
2 ribs celery, cut into 1/4 inch dice
2 medium waxy potatoes, cut into 1/8 inch dice
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 pound overripe tomatoes, cut into 1/2 inch dice with juices
2/3 cup dry white wine
Pinch of saffron
2 pounds fettuccine
1/2 cup chopped fresh chives
Bring 8 quarts water to a boil in a large spaghetti pot and add 2 tablespoons salt.
In a 14-inch saute pan, heat the butter until very hot.
Add the onion, celery, mushrooms, potatoes and garlic and saute until golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, wine and saffron and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat and simmer 3 minutes.
Drop the fettuccine into the boiling water and cook to one minute less than the package instructions.
Just before it is done, carefully ladle 1/2 cup of the cooking water into the pan with the sauce.
Add the lobster to the tomato sauce in the pan and toss through.
Drain the pasta in a colander and dump into the pan with the sauce and toss over medium heat about 30 seconds until nicely coated.
Add the chives to garnish.
Happy birthday HoneyBear. I am so proud of the beautiful little lady that you have become. I hope all your dreams come true, just as you have made all mine come true.
l-o-v-e
